Plane Crash Deaths ~

February 3rd was the anniversary of one of the most tragic events in music history. Infamously known as “The Day the Music Died,” this date in 1959 was when three legendary young rock and roll musicians were killed in a plane crash. As tragic as this event was, it was not the only time that a musician was killed in a plane crash. Here is my top ten list of artists killed in plane crashes.

Top Ten Musicians Who Died In A Plane Crash

1. Buddy Holly {see above}

Holly was one of the three rock-and-rollers killed in the 1959 crash, and probably the biggest of the three. Holly already had three top ten hits, including a number one song with “That’ll Be the Day” in 1957. Several artists, including Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, and Eric Clapton count Holly among their biggest musical influences. Some say he may have been the single most important rock and roll artist of all time, although he had only been around for a couple of years before his untimely death. He was among the first artists to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

2. Patsy Cline

Perhaps the single most influential female artist of all time, Patsy Cline was killed in a plane crash just outside Camden, Tennessee on March the 5th, 1963. She had a slew of country music hits to her credit, and had successfully crossed over into pop music, the first artist of her genre to do so. Her hits include “Walkin’ After Midnight”, “I Fall to Pieces”, “She’s Got You”, and “Crazy.” She even scored Top 10 hits after her death in the country music field with “Sweet Dreams”, “Leavin’ On Your Mind”, and “Faded Love.” That is just a testament to her overall popularity.

3. Ritchie Valens

The second most popular of those killed in the plane crash in 1959, Ritchie Valens was only 17 years old at the time of his death. He had already made his mark with three Top 40 hits, including “Donna”, which peaked at #2, “La Bamba”, and “C’Mon Let’s Go.” Valens pioneered what is known as Chicano rock, due to his Mexican-American heritage. Lou Diamond Phillips immortalized the young rocker in his 1987 portrayal of Valens in the film “La Bamba.”

4. Ronnie Van Zant (Lynyrd Skynyrd)

Perhaps the most infamous plane crash next to the 1959 one is the 1977 crash that killed three original members of the band Lynyrd Skynyrd, including original lead vocalist and founding member Ronnie Van Zant, backup singer Casey Gaines and guitarist Steve Gaines as well as the band’s road manager Dean Kilpatrick, the pilot and co-pilot. The band had pioneered the southern rock sound and  were virtual icons, especially in the south, with songs like the legendary “Sweet Home Alabama”, the rock anthem “Freebird”, “Workin’ For MCA”, “What’s Your Name?”, and “I Know a Little.” Their music inspired countless other artists, such as Marshall Tucker, Charlie Daniels, Elvin Bishop, as well as numerous modern day country and rock artists.

5. Ricky Nelson

Long before Justin Bieber or even Ricky Martin, there was the original teen heartthrob. His name was Ricky Nelson. Nelson began his career as an actor in the long-running television series “The Adventures of Ozzy and Harriet” in which he played himself. After the show ended, he embarked on a musical career that would make most artists jealous. He scored huge hits with songs like “Dream Lover”, “Poor  Little Fool”, and the #1 single “Travelin’ Man.” Nelson was killed when his private plane crashed just two miles from the airport in De Kalb, Texas on December 31, 1985.

6. John Denver

John Denver had one of the most recognizable voices in radio. He also enjoyed major success in both the adult contemporary and country/western genres. During his lifetime he recorded twelve gold records and four platinum records. He is best known for his songs “Take Me Home (Country Roads)”, “Rocky Mountain High”, “Sunshine On My Shoulders”, and “Thank God I’m a Country Boy.” Denver was piloting a single occupant plane when he crashed into the Pacific Ocean in 1997 at the age of 53.

7. Stevie Ray Vaughan

Technically, Stevie Ray Vaughan was killed in a helicopter crash. But, it’s an aircraft, so gimme a break 😛 Stevie was killed in 1990 when the helicopter he was riding in crashed into a hillside in Wisconsin. He had helped to revive the modern blues movement with his band, Double Trouble, and scored huge hits in the blues genre, with songs like “Texas Flood”, “Pride and Joy”, “Rude Mood”, and a wonderful rendition of Jimi Hendrix’s “Vodoo Child (Slight Return).” Although he never cracked the Top 40 in his seven-year career, he was influential and inspirational to many artists, such as ZZ Top, Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton and John Mayer.

8. Randy Rhoads

Here is yet another example of a young, budding artist whose life ended way too early. Rhoads was a budding young guitarist who had co-founded the heavy metal band Quiet Riot before leaving them in 1979 to join former Black Sabbath lead vocalist Ozzy Osbourne on his first solo tour. Rhoads played guitar on  Osbourne’s first and second studio albums, “The Blizzard of Oz” and “Diary of a Madman”, respectively. His riffs can be heard on Ozzy’s legendary hit “Crazy Train.” Rhoads was killed in March of 1982 when the plane he was on crashed into a garage in Leesburg, Florida. Many modern day guitarists, especially in heavy metal, consider Randy Rhoads one of their biggest influences.

9. Jim Reeves

He was known as “Gentleman” Jim Reeves. His sultry singing voice helped pioneer country music’s “Nashville sound” and left a legacy that would live for years after his untimely death. He had several top hits, including four #1 singles with “Mexican Joe”, “Bimbo”, “Four Walls”, and “Billy Bayou” but may be best known for songs that he recorded just prior to his death, “I Can’t Stop Loving You” and “Make the World Go Away.”  He died in 1964 when the plane he was piloting crashed in Brentwood, Tennessee, just outside of Nashville. He was 41 years old.

10. The Big Bopper

J.P. Richardson, a.k.a. The Big Bopper, is best known for his hit “Chantilly Lace” which was released in 1958. Until that time Richardson was a radio D.J. who enjoyed more success as a songwriter. He penned “Running Bear” for Johnny Preston, as well as George Jones’ first #1 single, “White Lightnin’. ” Richardson was the third of three rock stars killed in the 1959 plane crash infamously known as “The Day the Music Died.”

An honorable mention goes to Aaliyah, who died in a plane crash in 2001. She had two #1 singles on the R&B/Hip Hop charts with “Back & Forth” and “If Your Girl Only Knew” and a #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Try Again.” She also starred in two major motion pictures, “Romeo Must Die” with Jet Li and “Queen of the Damned” opposite Stuart Townsend. Her plane crashed in the Bahamas attempting to return to the U.S.

Who Was Your Favorite Musician That Died In A Plane Crash?

So, if you feel I missed anyone, please let me know. Otherwise, feel free to comment on these tragic events.